Today, 221 endemic species in Jamaica are considered vulnerable to extinction. In this presentation, we have selected one: the Jamaican boa, which is our ecological indicator. In our presentation we will explore how the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, flooding and deforestation affect the Jamaican boa, and more generally, alter the insular state. Faced with these emergencies, we will also present the DPSIR figure with the solutions envisaged by the country and how they are linked to the three sustainable development goals (SDGs 9,11,13) we have selected for Jamaica.

People see organic agriculture differently. It can be a luxurious necessity while to others it is a way of helping the environment and keeping the body healthy. It is quickly gaining its momentum in the agriculture sector but still far from its full potential. The main objective of this study is to see the different challenges affecting the sustainability of a farm in the Philippines that uses the sixth industrialization, a Japanese management strategy related to organic farming.

An investigation on human actions effects on the Mediterranean ecosystem, looking specifically at the effects on the Adriatic Sturgeon. As human populations in the area continue to increase and seek opportunities to reverse the harm of traditionally unsustainable practices, it is valuable to consider ecological indicators and how their population dynamics can be interpreted to better understand environmental harms. Using the DPSIR (driver, pressure, state, impact, response) evaluation format we seek to better understand what is causing the population decline of the Adriatic Sturgeon and what responses the country of Croatia, and the EU, have taken to reverse these harms.

The Singapore freshwater crab is an ecological indicator for Singapore that is vulnerable to climate change effects such as saltwater intrusion. In response, Singapore has committed to a set of NDCs that can be linked to SDGs the country also has to further prevent climate related disruptions to species like the Singapore freshwater crab. This project will explore the connections made between the Singapore freshwater crab and other aspects of sustainability in Singapore through a DPSIR framework to go into more depth on these connections and the future of sustainability and meeting climate action goals in Singapore.

Studying endangered species is vital in understanding the state of ecosystems and socio-ecological dynamics. Via a DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) analysis, we explored the state of the critically endangered Piliocolobus Epieni, or the Niger Delta Red Colobus. The main pressure on the species is habitat loss, and the driver of this pressure is human development. Pressures have resulted in habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and human health implications. However, the species is still in decline. In response, the community in the area is supporting conservation and regulations, and more research is being conducted.

Take a bite into a project-based learning experience that takes place in the kitchen. See how cyber school students learn cooking skills, content knowledge and how to create a sustainable future while examining the impact of food on the environment and making recipes to reduce food waste.

The Southern Lapwing is the national bird in Uruguay. There are drivers in Uruguay such as agricultural practices, tourism, and expansion of industry that directly impacts this species. Agricultural practices lead to land use change and soil erosion and Southern Lapwing rely on this land to build their nests on and the land is being compromised by industrialization. The state of Uruguay reflects the industrial practices through habitat loss, loss of biodiversity, sea level rise, etc. The Southern Lapwing is increasingly at risk since their habitat and resources they rely on is being degraded by human activities.

The DPSIR model relates an Austrian species, the golden eagle, to Austria’s Nationally Determined Contributions as outlined by the European Union’s Sustainable Development Goals. This poster discusses the cultural significance of this ecological indicator species and relates that to the sustainability efforts happening within Austria. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that closely relate to our ecological indicator include 16: Life on Land, 13: Climate Action, and 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Austria’s Nationally Determined Contributions also closely relate to these chosen SDGs that are listed above.

Our presentation will focus on the endangered species Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica which is found in the Azores region of Portugal. The plant is severely threatened in this area by habitat loss and fragmentation that is caused by extreme forest fires in the area as well as the logging and timber industry. It would be a devastating loss of a native species as well have effects on the other native animals that rely on this plant.

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem ravaging Anambra, Nigeria. The soil loss was assessed via a RUSLE Model integrated into a GIS environment. The annual soil loss in the area ranges from 0 to over 5000 tha-1yr-1 with an annual mean of 18.9 tha-1yr-1. It shows that severe erosion occurs in the central, southern and eastern parts of the area. The areas within the tolerable erosion rates are about 65.64% (3179.6 km2) of the area while about 28.03% (1357.77 km2) is under extreme soil erosion. However, there are very wide variations in the soil erosion across the area with a standard deviation of 88.6 tha-1yr-1. Thus, the severe soil degradation going on in the area calls for immediate and sustainable intervention to conserve the soil.

A DPSIR—which stands for – drivers-pressures-state-impact-response – is a framework for modeling the interactions between social and environmental factors. It is an aid in understanding the influencing factors in a state or country, interconnectedness of social-ecological systems and can inform policymakers in their decision-making process. Using The Bahamas’ Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, and other sources, we have crafted a DPSIR network model for The Commonwealth of the Bahamas that lays out the current conditions, influences, and responses of the small island developing state.

We will be speaking on the Mongoose Lemur of Comoros, which is a critically endangered species. The species is a great contributor to the ecosystems it inhabits, so it is an important species to preserve. The species is being threatened by numerous things, and it is receiving very little to no protection from local agencies.

The Nubian Ibex is native to the North Western corner of Africa stretching into the Arabian Peninsula and is listed as a ‘Vulnerable’ species on the IUCN Red List. Utilizing the DPSIR framework, the Nubian Ibex can be protected and allowed to regrow in a way that not only benefits the animal itself, but also the health of other species that coexist alongside the ibex. Large-scale conservation efforts are imperative for maintaining human-environment relationships in order to ensure sustainable use of all ecosystem goods and services, and important animals like the Ibex serve as indicators of sustainability and environmental health.

Sierra Leone is a West African country that is home to eight million people. As a developing country with an increasing population, it faces the challenges of creating affordable yet sustainable infrastructure, updating its agricultural sector, and combating the implications of climate change. Focusing on the endangered Sierra Leone Prinia (Schistolais leontica) as an indicator species, these challenges can be assessed through a DPSIR model. Connecting the indicator species, DPSIR model, and Sustainable Development Goals will create appropriate solutions for Sierra Leone to develop sustainably.

As a developing country, Albania still relies heavily upon coal and agriculture. Drivers such as coal mining, deforestation and livestock grazing result in increased carbon emissions, reduced freshwater availability and habitat destruction. Land degradation due to soil degradation and erosion as well as reduced water availability pressures the local ecosystem, making it hard for endangered species such as the Albanian tulip to survive. Albania’s main industries, coal and agriculture, have adverse effects globally as well, such as increasing global temperatures, causing species extinction and decreasing soil moisture. In response to these drivers of industry, Albania must adapt to different energy sources and mitigate the adverse effects of agriculture.

Burkina Faso is a small, landlocked country in arid West Africa, which is home to an isolated population of the endangered African Wild Dog. Throughout this report, we will explore the current ecological condition of Burkina Faso and work being done in the country to help mitigate ecosystem impacts and establish ecosystem resilience. These concepts will be explored within the context of African Wild Dogs, which we have selected as an ecological indicator species to represent the narrative of climate and adaptation in Burkina Faso.

We explore the Lappet-faced vulture as an ecological indicator of climate change effects in Mali. We use the DPSIR framework to assess how this species can give insight on the effects of climate change and other issues.

Unfortunately, humans have impacted coral reefs in many different negative ways. The most obvious way we have destroyed coral reefs is by polluting them. Whether it’s by trash debris by everyday people or sewage/oil from different treatment plant operation companies, we are slowly destroying the once beautiful coral reefs. According to research done by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the world has lost 30 to 50 percent of its coral reefs already. With almost half of the coral reefs lost, tropical reef ecosystems could face extinction by the end of the century. Ways to restore the reefs include planting some nursery-grown corals and building coral resilience to threats such as pollution. These actions would help sustain these new reefs.

Plastic is one of the world’s most common trash and recyclable waste. Improper disposal can lead to great environmental harm. The question then becomes how do we deal with disposal? “Once in the environment, plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller particles that attract toxic chemicals, are ingested by wildlife on land and in the ocean, and contaminated our food way,” (Maqueda, 2010). One solution is ecobricking—where plastic bottles are filled with non-biodegradable plastic in order to promote plastic sequestration and stop their toxins being released into the environment. Ecobricks can be used to create garden walls, benches, etc.

Urban gardening helps to create inclusive and sustainable cities through decreasing air pollution, reducing waste, and supporting the natural habitat suppressed by the city. Urban gardening contributes to sustainable communities by providing cheap/easy access to healthy food, self-sufficiency, and a strengthened sense of community.

Greenspaces are natural areas that are set apart for recreation/leisure within a community. The purpose of these spaces includes promoting healthy habits and increasing the wellbeing of all users. However, research has identified barriers that negatively impact usage of greenspaces within marginalized communities. According to Checker (2011), “marginalized and vulnerable people tend to be disproportionately exposed to environmental harm… and typically have less access to environmental benefits” (p. 3). Individuals, specifically People of Color (POC), feel unwelcome in public spaces, along with experiencing unfair land distribution and lack of resources. There must be reform in the way that greenspaces are viewed.

Microplastics, characterized as particles smaller than 5 mm, have become increasingly common in waterways, food sources, as well as the end-consumers such as humans. These plastics can be increasingly harmful, especially the amount within humans. The dangers are not fully known yet to humans, but there should be concern. One area of concern should be the cerebral cells in humans (Schirinzi et al., 2017).

Environmental noise pollution is a pervasive problem in America today. Americans have little in their arsenal against noise pollution and the threat it poses to human health. Yet, historically it has been treated as a distant last in comparison to other types of environmental pollutants. Both acute and chronic exposure to environmental noise pollution negatively impact human health and can lead to adverse long-term effects (Hammer et al., 2014, p. 116). Solutions to improve human health, such as direct regulation and altering the built environment to lower human exposure to environmental noise, need to be driven by policy.

Environmental racism is the disproportionate disadvantages that people of a minority background face due to systemic practices regarding the environment. One of the largest contributors was redlining which laid the foundation for current environmental injustices such as reduced air quality within communities of color, specifically Black Americans. Considering structural racism as a factor in low community environmental health, developing guidelines that strive to correct past policies, as well as enforcing regulations, will go a long way towards ending environmental racism.

Indiana has experienced, and is still experiencing, many different forms of pollution; this issue is not only negatively affecting the environment, but also the health of Indiana residents. The Chicago Tribune states, “Indiana leads the nation in toxic pollution emitted per square mile, according to an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report” (Colias-Pete, 2021). This is a widespread issue affecting the state and its residents in many ways. One way to address this would be to work with affected communities and educating them on the dangers of pollution as well as the best ways to mitigate the issues. Additionally, working with companies to find innovative options can help to reduce their pollutant output while working towards fixing the damage they have already done.

Cities are centers of environmental pollution and experience higher percentages of mental health issues. Concrete and metal make up the majority of cities, contributing to problems such as runoff, increased carbon emissions, and depression. Some of the most effective methods of reducing carbon emissions and storm water control come from natural ecosystems. There has also been a direct link between mental health benefits and green spaces (Coutts, 2015). Green infrastructure such as bioswales and green roofs can address natural methods of flood and carbon control, while also providing a green getaway from the city to improve mental health.

Due to overconsumption, increased demand, and micro-seasons in the fashion industry, clothes are being rapidly produced— harming both human and environmental health. These negative impacts are seen at every stage of the fast fashion cycle, from textile production to the end-user or landfill. As the industry continues to turnover fashion trends with more and more frequency, these consequences continue to intensify. Fashion brands are now producing almost twice the amount of clothing today compared with before the year 2000 (Niinimäki, et al., 2020). However, as awareness improves, companies and consumers are seeking out ways to mitigate their environmental impacts.

Noise pollution is harmful to both human health and nature. Environmental noise pollution is a form of air pollution and is a threat to health and well-being (Jariwala et al., 2017). Methods of combatting noise pollution are many. Methods studied here include: depressing freeways and arterial roads below the level of adjoining residential areas; using roadside noise barriers; creating maximum separation between roads and new buildings; siting high-rise buildings at the front of a development, providing acoustic shielding for any low-rise buildings; and using natural topographic features to the best acoustic advantage.

Urban areas, especially those with large populations of marginalized groups, suffer from issues such as “grocery red-lining” and increased food inaccessibility. Both are forms of Environmental Injustice. Direct and Indirect consequences of Environmental Injustice include a decline in mental and physical health, sense of community, environmental education, and the many more long-term effects. According to a study by the Chicago Department of Public health, surveying locations in different cities found that in the Chicago lawn neighborhood of Chicago only 37% of food stores sell fresh produce (Block et al. 2005). By encouraging urban gardening, we can help people have greater access to fresh produce.